DFA finds Kuwait’s move to evict PH envoy ‘deeply disturbing’

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is finding the Kuwaiti government’s sudden expulsion of Philippine Ambassador Renato Villa “deeply disturbing.”

Villa was declared “persona non grata” in Kuwait and was given one week to leave the Gulf state amid issues on reported abuses of Filipino domestic workers and the controversial rescue mission recently carried out by embassy officials in Kuwait.

“The action taken by the Kuwaiti government is deeply disturbing as it is inconsistent with the assurances given by Kuwaiti Ambassador Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh during his meeting with Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano in Manila on Tuesday,” the DFA said in a statement issued late Wednesday night.

READ: Kuwait gives PH envoy one week to leave amid dispute

“The Department will ask Ambassador Saleh to explain first thing tomorrow why the Kuwaiti Government reneged on the agreement reached with him to work together to move bilateral relations between the Philippines and Kuwait forward,” it added.

The DFA stressed that it has always emphasized the “paramount importance” of the well-being of overseas Filipino workers based in Kuwait during discussions with the Kuwaiti government.

“The protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare of Filipinos abroad would always be the guiding principle of the Philippines in its relationship with countries around the world, including Kuwait,” it said.

READ: Kuwait protests PH rescue of housemaids

A diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait escalated after authorities apprehended two Philippine Embassy staffers for reportedly encouraging the housemaids to run away from their employers.

The arrests were made after a video showing a team from the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait enticing Filipino maids to run away went viral. With a report from Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao /kga